EP2421780A2

EP2421780A2 - Assembly and winding drum for storing long lengths of a flexible item

Info

Publication number: EP2421780A2
Application number: EP10724687A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Friedhelm Kumpf; Anders Rasmussen; Bernhard John; Josef Duda; Thomas Schlingmeyer; Markus JÄCKEL
Original assignee: NKT Cables GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: NKT Cables GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2009-04-24
Filing date: 2010-04-20
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-04-20
Also published as: WO2010121781A2; DK2421780T3; DE102009018852A1; EP2421780B1; WO2010121781A3

Abstract

At least one winding drum is mounted on a horizontal flat surface De, wherein a winding drum T1... T5 comprises two drum discs F1'... F3" which have the same size and between which a cylindrical drum core TK is provided, onto which the item can be wound. The invention is further characterized in that the winding drums T1... T5 are located in a position in which the axes A of the winding drums T1... T5 are parallel to the flat surface De and the axes A are arranged in a straight line one behind the other, - a drive device A1, A2 for at least one winding drum T1... T5 in order to set it into synchronous motion about the axis thereof, - and a device for loading at least one winding drum T1... T5 with the item. The winding drum according to the invention is characterized in that at least one drum disc has a threading window EF1'... EF2" for the item. Each threading window EF1'... EF2" is provided with an insert EE1'... EE2", with which an opening formed by the threading window in the wheel rim RX1'... RK3" of the drum disc F1'... F3" can be bridged.

Description

Arrangement and winding drum for storing large lengths of a flexible object

The invention relates to an arrangement and a winding drum for storing large lengths of an elongated, flexible object, in particular electric cable, hose or tube.

The arrangement may be stationary or mounted on a vehicle. When considering a vehicle, in particular a non-powered watercraft, such as a floating pontoon in question. There are so-called floating cable laying known, of which submarine cables are laid on the seabed. In this case, provision may be made for the cable to be introduced into a cable space of the watercraft in order to lay it from there overboard onto the seabed.

The alternative is to stock one or more cable sections on cable reels; For example, GB 1451407 is cited here. It follows that only a limited length of cable can be wound on a cable reel. If one wishes to lay a greater length of cable than is available on a single cable reel, the cable section must be spliced from a first cable reel to its complete unwinding from the first cable reel to the beginning of the cable section of a second cable reel. Larger lengths of cable can not be continuously wound on two independent reels and unwound because the reel drum core is wrapped at least once, and looping can not be achieved without disconnecting (interrupting) the cable section.

It is therefore the object of the invention to propose an arrangement for storing long lengths of an elongated, flexible article and at least one associated winding drum, wherein one or more winding drums with a continuous length of an elongate, flexible object can be fed without splicing separate sections of the article Need to become.

The solution is reflected in the features of the main claim. Further embodiments can be found in the dependent claims and subclaims. In the respective subclaims advantageous developments of the invention are claimed.

The arrangement is characterized in that it comprises: a device for unwinding the winding drums in a position in which the axes of the winding drums are parallel to the horizontal support surface and the axes are arranged in a straight line one behind the other, a drive device for at least one winding drum for Rotational motion around its axis and a Apparatus for feeding (winding and unwinding the object) at least one winding drum with the object. The arrangement may be stationary or mounted on a vehicle, in particular an unpowered watercraft, for example a floating pontoon.

The particular advantage of the invention is that a flexible, elongated object can be applied whose length is greater than the capacity of a single winding drum. Should a flexible, elongated object be stored on several winding drums, this is hardly possible without splicing of individual sections of the object. A given footprint (total length of a vehicle) can be exploited in almost the entire length.

A first according to the invention formed winding drum has the special features that on at least one drum disc Einfädelfenster for the subject (electrical cable, pipeline, flexible tube) is present and at each threading an insert is present, with the one formed by the threading in the rim of the drum disc Opening is bridgeable.

The essential structure of the arrangement consists in a footprint for receiving winding drums for an elongated, flexible object, wherein a winding drum consists of two drum discs of uniform diameter, between which there is a cylindrical drum core, on which the object is wound, and further details of the arrangement are:

A device for unwinding the winding drums in a position in which the axes of the winding drums are parallel to the base,

A drive device for at least one winding drum for rotating around its axis, and

A device for feeding at least one winding drum with the object.

The elongate, flexible article may be a hose, an electrical cable, a semi-finished cable or the like.

Other particular embodiments are formulated in dependent claims, which can be implemented individually or in combination with each other. These features are the following:

The drive device can be designed such that at least one of the rollers designed as a drive can be set into synchronous rotational movement with frictional or other engagement with the edge rims (the flanges) of the winding drums. Furthermore, a plurality of drive devices may be present and arranged such that all winding drums can be set in synchronous rotation. Between the winding drums connecting elements (for example, struts) are present, with which a rigid connection between the winding drums can be produced. The drive device can be recessed in the footprint, so that it can be covered when not in use by heavy metal or concrete slabs, so that the covered area of vehicles is passable.

The device for Aufständern each winding drum may be formed such that edge rims of the drum discs are mounted on rollers, of which at least one - as mentioned - is rotatably driven. The rollers and rim rings can be equipped with a flat surface or with a profiled surface. Thus, rollers and rim rings can rub against each other (positively). Alternatively, profiled surfaces may be formed on rollers and edge rims, so that rollers and edge rims engage with one another in a form-fitting manner. The training can be designed as a toothing (gear and ring gear on the circumference of a drum disc).

On at least one winding drum, a threading window for the object (electric cable) should be present.

At each threading window an insert is present, with which an opening formed by the threading window in the rim of the drum disc can be bridged.

On at least one drum disc, a flow screw may be present, which continues at the threading window starting spiraling to the drum core. The drain screw is located on the inside surface of a drum disk or inner surface of a support disk first reached by the object during a loading operation.

A winding drum, in particular for the arrangement according to the invention, consisting of two drum discs, between which a cylindrical drum core is present, should have the following features that at least one rim of a drum disc a wheel rim interrupting Einfädelfenster and an insert is present, with which by the Threading window interrupted wheel rim is bridgeable.

An alternative winding drum, in particular for the erfϊndungsgemäße arrangement, can be formed as follows. It has two drum disks of uniform diameter with a cylindrical drum core between the drum discs, wherein the length of the drum core is interrupted in a uniform subdivision, and there is in each case formed as a support disk drum disc. The support discs run on support wheels on their rim. Thus, the weights are intercepted, which are generated by the increased length of the drum core and by the weight of the applied object (electric cable). The subdivision of the drum core can in the pattern 1/2: 1/2 (here a support disk on the drum core); 1/3: 1/3: 1/3 (here two supportive Disks); 1/4: 1/4: 1/4: 1/4 (here three support disks on the drum core) and so on-depending on the length of the drum core. The support disks may have the same diameter as the end drum disks. The diameter may also be different from the diameter of the end drum discs. It depends on the location of the support rollers.

This alternative winding drum also has on at least one wheel rim of a support disk, a wheel rim interrupting Einfädelfenster and there is an insert with which the opening formed on the rim through the threading window can be bridged.

When loading the winding drum (s) an uneven loading of individual winding drum can occur. With an asymmetry of the masses on a winding drum in relation to the axis of rotation imbalance arises, which mechanically loads the drive mechanism. Furthermore, there is a risk of damage to the applied article. If an imbalance due to uneven mass distribution occurs, the arrangement should be shut down in order to balance the wobble drums affected by imbalance. The winding drums can therefore be formed in the interior of the drum core with at least one container for receiving additional weights. Preferably, a plurality of possible symmetrically distributed over the diameter of the container are installed, which are preferably designed as water tanks. These can be filled and emptied relatively quickly. After balancing the drive mechanism can be immediately restarted. An electronic monitoring of the electrical drives should be designed so that the torques occurring or the electrical power consumption are detected on the drive rollers and the occurrence of critical torques that imply unbalance, an alarm message and / or an indication of the position and size of the imbalance is delivered.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures. They show in detail:

1: side view of a pontoon with several winding drums,

2 shows a top view of the base of an arrangement, for example a pontoon according to FIG. 1, FIG.

3: partial view of three winding drums,

4A and 4B: Detail of a drum disc, in particular threading window,

Fig. 5: winding drum with balancing tanks,

Fig. 6: a system of water tanks and

Fig. 7: side view of a pontoon with a further embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a pontoon in a shortened side view with several winding drums (Tl to T5) on the deck (floor space De) of the pontoon 100. FIG. 2 shows a corresponding, abbreviated plan view.

The axes A of the winding drums are positioned with respect to the center of gravity of the structure in the longitudinal center of the deck. The number of winding drums is determined by the length of the pontoon, so that the length and area of the deck are utilized as optimally as possible. The winding drums Tl ... T5 each have two drum disks (Fl ', Fl ") of a uniform diameter, and between the drum disks there is a cylindrical drum core TK on which the object (preferably a submarine cable) can be wound. T5 are mounted in such a position that the axes A of the winding drums are parallel to the standing surface De and the axes A are arranged in a straight line one behind the other.There is a drive device for at least one winding drum Tl ... T3 for rotational movement of one Winding drum about its axis The drive (reference A1, A2) is indicated in Fig. 3 in the drawing.

On the deck of the pontoon there are other units that are necessary for the operation, not all of which must be mentioned. By way of example should be mentioned: modules Ml to M3, which are set up for the power supply, for the hydraulics, for the control, for tools and other functions. As a watercraft, the pontoon also has in particular windlasses 32.

The winding drums are fed one by one by an electric cable, which is transported via a cable entry KE (left - at the bow - in the figure) onto the pontoon. The electric cable is taken over by the loading device and transferred to a trolley LK. On the trolley, a mounting arm 40 is provided, from which the cable is guided to a winding drum. At the start of the loading process, the front end of the cable is guided over the running on rails Seh trolley LK and the mounting arm 40 to the first winding drum Tl. The movement sequence Be of the trolley LK with the mounting arm 40 is indicated. The electric cable is applied beginning with a first layer on the drum core TK of the start winding drum T1 and then further wound on layer until the capacity of the first winding drum is reached. The electric cable is then continued from the first winding drum to the second winding drum T2. In this case, the electric cable is passed through a threading window EF1 'in the right-hand drum disk EF1' (the first winding drum T1) through a corresponding threading window EF2 'in the left drum disk EF2' of the second winding drum T1 The threading windows are shown in detail in FIGS The Einfadelfenster are closed by inserts, wherein the wheel rims of the drum discs only at the moment of threading the cable - are opened - when the winding drums standstill. The winding process is held by one or more drive devices Al, A2 in motion. Due to the transition of the electric cable from the first winding drum to the second winding drum T2 and further from each subsequent winding drum to the last winding drum (T5), it is imperative that the winding drums are placed in synchronous rotation. This can be realized by each winding drum is rotated by its own drive and an electronic control is used to make the rotations of all participating winding drums rotationally synchronized. The synchronous rotational movement of the winding drums can also be achieved in that only one winding drum is acted upon by a drive, and the winding drums are rigidly connected to each other with connecting elements 20, so that they perform uniformly the same rotation.

The rotational movement by the drive device is set in the unwinding process in the opposite direction, whereby the unwinding (and unthreading through the threading window) takes place in reverse sequence as when winding up.

Each winding drum Tl ... T5 is supported in such a way that the edge rims RK1 '... RK3 "of the drum disks F1' ... F3" are mounted on rollers (A1) (see also FIGS. 3 and 4). About at least one of these roles, at least one winding drum to be driven by electric motor rotating. The roles Al, A2 are used for storage, guidance and the drive of the edge rims. There may well be more than two roles A1, A2 - for example, up to twelve. The rollers and the edge rings can interlock either positively or positively. The design of a positive engagement can be arranged on a profiled surface of the roller and rim, or even as a toothing on gear (on the roller) and sprocket (on the rim) of at least one edge ring. A non-positive transmission of the rotational movement can be achieved by friction between rollers and edge rims, with rollers and edge rims have relatively smooth or slightly profiled surfaces. In the figure, the wheel rims RK ', RK "the drum discs Fl', FT are drawn smoothly.

Figures 3, 4A and 4B show details of the winding drums Tl to T3. The first winding drum (starting drum T1) is located on the left in the drawing of Fig. 3. A last winding drum T3 is located on the right in the drawing. From the latter, only the left drum disc is visible. On the left wheel rim RK2 "(or drum disc) and on the right wheel rim RK2 '(or drum disc) of the second winding drum T2, a threading window EF2" and EF2' is formed. A threading window on the right wheel rim RK3 'of the first winding drum T1 is not visible on the left wheel rim of the third winding drum T3 The threading windows are offset by an angle relative to the respective adjacent winding drum Since the needle windows on the respective wheel rim have a gap or The engagement of drive Al, A2 with the respective wheel rim would not be possible continuously, it is therefore provided that the respective threading window can be closed again by means of an insert EE3 '... EE2 ", so that the wheel rims have a gap-free edge, an insert EEl' ... EE2" is fastened to the wheel rim RKl '... RK3 by means of screws or clamps "the drum disc Fl '... F3" dissolved or attached. 4B shows the insert EE2 "as a single illustration, the outer surface of the insert EE2" is also formed (smooth, profiled, or serrated) as the entire surface of the rim.

On each of the inner sides of the drum discs (Fl '... F3 ") of each winding drum there is a flow screw (S1, S2) .The flow screw serves to guide the electric cable from the point of filing on the threading window to the diameter, or the outer surface of the drum core The auger has a spiral shape approximately equal in width to the diameter of an electric cable The auger starts at the threading window and continues in a spiraling radius tapering towards the drum core 1 and 2, in each case on the left drum disk of the second, third winding drum (and so on.) No flow screw must be present on the starting drum (T1) since the electric cable is in the direction of the charging process (winding up) of the electric cable on the starting drum of the mounting arm 40 of the trolley LK directly on d drum core is performed.

FIG. 5 shows a winding drum with a lateral surface of the drum core TK1 removed in the rear third. In the open area of the lateral surface, seven (in part) containers designed as cylinders are visible for receiving additional weights. The containers WT are parallel to the axis A (symmetry or cylinder axis) of the winding drum and can be filled with water. On the front of the winding drum holder can be seen between the spokes, in which valves are used to fill with water. The winding drum is rotatably driven by the external rotary drive A1, A2, as already indicated in Fig. 3. By way of drawing, it is not shown that the rotary drive is equipped with an electronic sensor device for detecting drive variables (for example, the electrical power consumption), which makes an imbalance during loading or unloading displayable when an imbalance occurs.

FIG. 6 shows a system of twelve water tanks WT, which is accommodated inside the drum core TK. The water tanks are attached to each other with a scaffold of tank holders TH. At the front end of the water tank WT filling valves FV are each recognizable. Typical dimensions of a water tank: length approx 7.5 m; Diameter 30 cm; Filling volume approx. 500 cm ³ , corresponds to approx. 500 kg water quantity. 7 shows a side view of a pontoon with a further embodiment according to the invention. Since the synchronous rotation of the winding drums during loading and unloading of the electric cable is necessary, in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 (and FIG. 2) connecting elements 20 are located between the winding drums used. The embodiment of FIG. 7 is in contrast a simplification, as only a particularly long winding drum TT is used, whose length is determined only by the length of the base and the length of the required amount of cable to be applied. The long winding drum TT is supported by support disks SS on the deck, where the wheel rims of the support disks are supported on rotatable rollers. According to FIG. 7, the winding drum TT is regularly subdivided in the pattern 1 / 4-1 / 4-1 / 4-1 / 4. Therefore, three support disks SS are present on the drum core. With a larger length of the drum core (distance of the drum disks F '- F ") one would make the regular subdivision with four (with a fraction 1/5) or with five supporting disks (with a fraction 1/6) to the masses of the long ones The process of loading and unloading the electric cable follows the same pattern as in the previously described embodiment, and therefore, the support plates SS can also be provided with threading windows (and associated inserts) and flow screws.

Typical dimensions of a structure (the first embodiment, Fig. 1): Length of floor space or pontoon 71 m; Wide floor space 20 m; Length of winding drum 8.2 m; Diameter drum disc 7.5 m; Diameter drum core 4 m; Number of winding drums 5; Distance winding drums - from drum disk to drum disk 1.2 m.

reference numeral

A axis winding drum

Al, A2 drive, rollers for drive

Be motion trolley

The stand area (vehicle deck)

KE cable entry

Ml ... M3 modules for power supply, for hydraulics, for control, for tools

Sl .. S3 snail

Seh Schienenstrang for publishers (Trolley)

Tl ... T5 winding drum

FV ... F3 "Drum Disc (Flange)

TT long winding drum

F ', F "Drum discs of winding drum TT

SS support disks

RKl '... RK3 "rim

TK drum core (cylindrical)

EFΓ .. EF2 "threading window

EEl \ .. EE2 "Insert for threading window

WT water tank

TH tank holder

FV filling valve

Sp spokes Connecting element between the winding drums Erecting crane, trolley Windlass Boom arm Vehicle (pontoon)

Claims

claims

1. Arrangement for storing large lengths of an electric cable on a (horizontal) footprint (De) for receiving at least one winding drum (Tl ... T5, TT) for an elongate, flexible object, wherein a winding drum of two drum discs (Fl .. F3 ") of uniform diameter, between which there is a cylindrical drum core (TK) on which the object can be wound, and the arrangement further comprises:

• A device for Aufständern the at least one winding drum (Tl ... T5, TT) in a position in which the drum core (TK) of the at least one winding drum (Tl ... T5, TT) is parallel to the base (De)

A drive device (A1, A2) for at least one winding drum (T1 ... T5, TT) for rotating around its axis (A), and

• A device (LK, 40) for feeding at least one winding drum (Tl ... T5, TT) with the object.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the device for Aufständern a winding drum (Tl ... T5, TT) is designed such that marginal rims (RKF ... RK3 ") of the drum discs (Fl '... F3" ) are mounted on rollers (A1, A2).

3. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device consists of at least one drivable roller (Al, A2) with at least one wheel rim (RKl '... RK3 ") a drum disc (Fl' ... F3 ") comes into engagement.

4. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device for Aufständern is designed such that with the device for Aufständern several winding drums (Tl ... T5) are receivable in a position in which the axes (A) of Winding drums (Tl ... T5) are arranged in a straight line one behind the other.

5. Arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that a plurality of drive devices (Al, A2) are arranged such that a plurality of winding drums (Tl ... T5, TT) are set in synchronous rotation.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that between the winding drums (Tl ... T5) connecting elements (20) are provided with which a rigid connection between the winding drums (Tl ... T5) can be produced.

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive device (Al, A2) is equipped with a sensor device which makes an imbalance during loading or unloading displayable when an imbalance occurs.

8. winding drum, in particular for electric cables, consisting of two end drum discs (F ', F ") of uniform diameter, wherein between the terminal drum discs (Fl' ... F3") a cylindrical drum core (TK) is present on the at least one further designed as a support disk (SS) drum pulley is arranged.

9. winding drum according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one wheel rim of a drum disc (RKL '... RK3 ") or a rim of a support disk (SS) serrated, profiled or smooth-edged is formed.

10. winding drum according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that on at least one wheel rim (RKL '... RK3 ") a drum disc (RKL' ... RK3") or a support disk (SS) a threading window (EFF. EF2 ") for the item is present.

11. winding drum according to claim 10, characterized in that each Einfädelfenster (EFl '.. EF2 ") to the circumference of the Radkranzes (RKl' ... RK3") is open and an insert (EEl '... EE2 ") available is, with the one formed by the Emfadelfenster (EFl '.. EF2 ") formed on the Radkranzumfang opening can be bridged.

12. winding drum according to claim 11, characterized in that the insert (EEl '... EE2 ") by means of screws or clamps on the wheel rim (RKL' ... RK3") is to be attached.

13. winding drum according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that at a during a loading process (Be) from the object first reached inner surface of a drum disc (F 1 '... F3 ") or a support disk (SS) a flow screw (Sl , S3), which continues at the Einfadelfenster (EFl '.. EF2 ") starting in the radius spiraling down to the drum core (TK).

14. winding drum, in particular for electric cables, consisting of two terminal drum discs (FP, Fl ") uniform diameter, wherein between the terminal drum discs (Fl ', Fl") a cylindrical drum core (TK) is present, and inside the drum core (TK ) are provided, over the circumference of the drum core distributed container (WT) for receiving additional weights, in particular a liquid medium, with which an imbalance is compensated.